Swine Flu Pros and Cons

A publication intended to inform people on the H1N1 vaccine is raising as many questions as answers.

If you read this packet on the H1N1 vaccine from the Food and Drug Administration, you may not find the answers you are looking for.

The Bi-County Health official, Dr. Todd Bell, explains that production of the vaccine began before FDA safety tests were finished.

That is why the vaccine insert says "clinical studies are ongoing."

Dr. Bell and the dean for Texas Tech's School of Medicine in Amarillo say this was the only way to get the vaccine in time for Flu season.

They both insist there were no shortcuts in the safety inspections.

"This was done faster, but no less thorough. So there is not much difference in the production of this flu vaccine versus what we get all the time," said Dr. Richard Jordan, Texas Tech School of Medicine.

The first shipments of the spray vaccine Flumist are on route to our area.